Japan's Economy

 Overseas shipments fell 4.5% in November from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed.  Separately, the Bank of Japan will make a decision on Wednesday on whether to raise the cost of borrowing.

The strength of the Japanese yen as well as the ongoing European debt crisis have weighed on external demand.

Japan's economy recovered from a recession that was sparked by the devastating tsunami  and earthquake in March.

However in recent months the boost from recovering supply chains and restored production facilities has started to diminish.

Japanese exports came in at 5.2 trillion yen ($66.8bn; £42.6bn) in November, falling for the second straight month.

Imports rose 11.4% to 5.88tn yen, the ministry said. That lead to an expansion in the trade balance deficit to 684.7bn yen.

Vickers report on banks to be accepted in full - Cable

The government will accept the Vickers report into banking "in full", Business Secretary Vince Cable has told the BBC.

The report, launched in the wake of the financial crisis, recommended separating banks' retail business from their investment business.

Mr Cable said the government would proceed with separating the banks.

But the recommendation about the amount of capital banks should hold has been diluted, the BBC has learned. The chancellor will address MPs on Monday.

George Osborne will give a statement to Parliament after the government publishes its response to the report.

In one key area the banking industry has succeeded in getting the Treasury to water down one of Vickers' recommendations, he said.